England : Deserved World No. 1?

In my last article, I looked at the current West Indian team that showed promise in turning the corner sooner rather than later. In this article, I will look at the current English line up and also where they would be in the immediate future.

Not too long ago, England wrested the No.1 Test status from India. Since their 4-0 whitewash of the hapless Indians at home, they seem to have hit a rocky patch, at least in the longer format of the game. They lost the Test series 0-3 against Pakistan in UAE and came from behind to level the two-Test series in Lanka. They did beat the West Indies in the first Test in the ongoing home series, but they were far from dominating. In fact, going into the final day, West Indies still had a realistic chance at winning the Test. They have two more tests to get out of the way, before facing their biggest challenge to the No.1 status.

South Africa will soon arrive on English shores for a four-Test series, which would, on paper, provide a much better fare than last season’s trouncing of the Indian team. The Africans have a solid and settled batting lineup, almost similar to England, while their pace battery can extract bounce on any wicket and would match the English attack man for man. If the English manage to get through the series unscathed, India await to extract revenge for last year.

A look at the English batting suggests that it is only the No.6 slot, which is currently a rotating door. Strauss was on thin ice but a century in the first Test should see him retain his place through the summer. Cook and Trott have been prolific form in the last couple of years, while Pietersen made a Test century in his last innings and had a great IPL. Bell has been short of runs, but a 60 odd in the second innings of the first Test should get him going. Prior looks solid, while Bresnan, Broad and Anderson are fearsome, with Finn waiting in reserves. Swann is their designated spinner and can turn the ball a mile.

Since achieving their No.1 status, England have won 2 and lost 4 of their six Tests. If they stay unbeaten in the series against South Africa and India, only then can they claim that they deserve it.